Envelop-opener.



N. CUNNINGHAM. ENVELOP OPENER. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I4. I9I5.

Patented J an. 22, 1918.

NORVAL CUNNINGHAM, OF PENNSBOBO, WEST VIRGINIA.

ENVELGP-OPENER.

Application filed December 14, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORVAL Guxxrx errant, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pennsboro, in the county of Ritchie, State of est Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in envelop openers. I

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novel and efficient device of this character by means of which a quick and efficient shearing out can be made along the edge of the envelop.

Another object is to provide a simple device of this character which is compact in its structure so that it can be carried around in the pocket.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved envelop opener in normal or closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in open position; and in connection with an envelop showing the use of the device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device in the position of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 1 is a. similar section in the position of Fig. 2.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents the side plates of the device which is in the form of a penknife. Secured between the side plates, at one edge, and forming the back of the device is a longitudinally extending spring 11, one end of which bears on the pivotal end of a knife blade 12, disposed between the ends of the plates. Pivoted between the other ends of the plates is a blade 13, the pivotal point of which is provided with a pair of lugs 1 1 and 15 spaced to form an intermediate notch Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 22, 191%.

Serial No. 66,841.

16. The face of the lug 15 is flat and is adapted to be engaged by the adjacent end of the spring 11 to hold the blade in normal position between the plates. lVhen the blade is moved outwardly the end of the spring snaps into the notch 16 and bears against the inner wall thereof which holds the blade in partially open position. The remaining lug 11 engages against the end of the spring and prevents the further opening of the blade. The blade thus extends at an acute angle to the open or front side of the handle, and when this blade is inserted under one end of the sealed flaps of an envelop and the device drawn along the envelop in parallel relation to the edge, the blade will sever the flap with a shearing cut. Thus the envelop can be more quickly and effectively opened than with similar devices heretofore with which it is necessary to hold the same at the proper angle to produce the shearing out. With the present device, the blade is held in such position with respect to the handle of the device that no other action can be brought to bear on the envelop but a shearing, cutting action.

On the pivotal end of the blade 13, and normally extending from the end of the handle of the device, whether the blade is in open or closed position, is an eye-member 17 which permits of the attachment of the device to a key ring or chain, and is used to open the device with one hand only.

What is claimed is:

An envelop opener including a channeled handle member, a flat spring secured at its intermediate portion on the bottom of the channel, a knife blade pivotally mounted in one end of the channel and movable into and out of the channel, the pivotal portion of the blade being formed with an inclined notch in the inner edge thereof for the reception of the adjacent end of the spring at times, a lug on said blade outwardly of the notch for engagement with the end of the spring to hold the blade extended from the channel at an acute angle, said inner edge of the pivotal portion of the blade being also formed with a flattened face for engagement by the inner In testimony whereof, I aflix my signaface of the adjacent end of the spring at ture, in the presence of two Witnesses. t1n1es to hold the blade within the channel, NORVAL CUNNINGHAM.

and a fingerpiece on the pivotal portion of the blade projecting beyond the end of the Witnesses: 1

handle for moving theblade into and out of v JAY E. CUNNINGHAM, the channel. I. L. FORDYGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

